Squarepoint Ops LLC Has $11.61 Million Position in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

Squarepoint Ops LLC decreased its position in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) by 19.5% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 125,442 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 30,408 shares during the quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC's holdings in CRH were worth $11,606,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in CRH. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of CRH in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,391,245,000. FMR LLC grew its stake in shares of CRH by 13.0% in the 4th quarter. FMR LLC now owns 40,843,362 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $3,781,004,000 after buying an additional 4,687,345 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its holdings in CRH by 17.0% in the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 16,788,918 shares of the construction company's stock worth $1,553,194,000 after purchasing an additional 2,437,868 shares during the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG lifted its holdings in CRH by 72.2% in the 4th quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 4,717,597 shares of the construction company's stock worth $436,472,000 after purchasing an additional 1,978,225 shares during the last quarter. Finally, D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. lifted its holdings in CRH by 931.3% in the 4th quarter. D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. now owns 1,977,992 shares of the construction company's stock worth $183,004,000 after purchasing an additional 1,786,189 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 62.50% of the company's stock.

CRH Price Performance

Shares of CRH traded down $2.17 on Wednesday, reaching $93.04. 851,077 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,791,643. The firm has a market cap of $62.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.62, a P/E/G ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.33. CRH plc has a 12 month low of $71.18 and a 12 month high of $110.97. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $91.28 and its 200-day moving average price is $96.22.

CRH (NYSE:CRH - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 5th. The construction company reported ($0.12) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.06) by ($0.06). CRH had a net margin of 9.86% and a return on equity of 16.35%. The company had revenue of $6.76 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.77 billion. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that CRH plc will post 5.47 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

CRH Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 25th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be paid a dividend of $0.37 per share. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.59%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 23rd. CRH's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 23.52%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently weighed in on CRH. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "neutral" rating on shares of CRH in a report on Tuesday, May 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on CRH from $118.00 to $114.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, March 11th. Loop Capital began coverage on CRH in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $114.00 target price for the company. Sanford C. Bernstein initiated coverage on CRH in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $115.00 target price for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an "overweight" rating on shares of CRH in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $112.58.

CRH Company Profile

CRH plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides building materials solutions in Ireland and internationally. It operates through four segments: Americas Materials Solutions, Americas Building Solutions, Europe Materials Solutions, and Europe Building Solutions. The company provides solutions for the construction and maintenance of public infrastructure and commercial and residential buildings; and produces and sells aggregates, cement, readymixed concrete, and asphalt, as well as provides paving and construction services.